Using Simulation in Dementia Caregiver Research: Lessons Learned
2024

Using Simulation in Dementia Caregiver Research

Sample size: 4 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lee Cheryl, Jablonski Rita

Primary Institution: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Hypothesis

Simulation-based training can improve the skills of dementia caregiver research team members.

Conclusion

Simulation training can effectively prepare research personnel, but careful selection of actors is crucial for better outcomes.

Supporting Evidence

  • Inter-rater reliability for the treatment fidelity checklist was 100%.
  • Treatment fidelity scores for the interventionist ranged from 23.1% to 52.9%, indicating poor adherence to the intervention protocol.
  • Simulation training was continued using two family caregivers with better treatment fidelity results (90%-95%).

Takeaway

This study shows that using pretend caregivers can help train people who work with dementia patients, but the actors need to be more realistic.

Methodology

Simulation-based training was used with nursing students role-playing as caregivers to assess treatment fidelity.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the lack of realism in the simulated caregivers' roles.

Limitations

The simulated caregivers were passive, and the interventionist struggled to engage fully during simulations.

Participant Demographics

Four pre-licensure nursing students participated in the simulations.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3195

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